Although American Northern Inuit Dogs are directly descended from pedigreed and health-tested Northern Inuit dogs from the United Kingdom, they represent an offshoot from that breed. They are registered with Northern Inuits International Unleashed.

The ideal representative dogs for the breed come under the general heading of “Wolfalikes.” This means that they are bred to. look like timber wolves, but are not wolf dogs or wolf hybrids. They are bred both for appearance, and for a friendly, affectionate temperament.